The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act  provides financial protection to employees whose earning power has been temporarily diminished or terminated due to a work injury. The system is designed to replace income lost when an employee suffers an injury. The Act also provides some protections for injured employees and specifically prohibits a retaliatory discharge for exercising workers’ compensation rights. But when do retaliatory discharge claims have merit? In Daniel C. Katzman’s September Illinois Bar Journal article, “Falling Into a Pink Slip,” Katzman explores protections provided to employees who are injured in their employment, the obligations employers have to injured employees, and what cases decided by Illinois courts have to say about the rights of the employer and injured employee.

The Illinois Supreme Court announced today that its September Term will be held in-person in Springfield at the Illinois Supreme Court Building. The Court’s last Term in May was heard remotely via Zoom. 

Registration is now open for the ISBA's Solo and Small Firm Conference 2020, which will be held remotely on October 29-30.

The theme of this year's conference is "Finding Your Path to Success." It is sponsored by the ISBA Mutual Insurance Company.

The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar recently announced that Illinois will engage in reciprocity with 11 other states and the District of Columbia when administering the remote bar exam on October 5-6.

Join us from the comfort of your home or office on Friday, October 2 for this half-day online seminar that explores DUI defenses for the litigator. Traffic law attorneys, public defenders, and state’s attorneys with all levels of practice experience who attend this live webcast will better understand: the recent changes and updates to existing Illinois traffic law; what to do when your client is apprehended through a roadside safety check; common issues with Illinois State Police regulations; the newest cannabis legislation and how it affects traffic law; the pros and cons of how Drug Recognition Evaluators and Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement are trained; and how to create an effective closing argument for your next traffic law case.

The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State is seeking a deputy director for its administrative hearings department, based in Springfield, and an assistant general counsel for its vehicle services department, also based in Springfield.

Despite the finality of the new federal Title IX regulations, uncertainty remains. The American Civil Liberties Union and others have challenged the Final Rule in court. Presidential candidate Joe Biden has vowed to overturn it if elected. State laws—including in Illinois—and even other federal laws require more stringent standards when addressing similar complaints. And the Final Rule has yet to be interpreted by U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights and the courts. In her September Illinois Bar Journal article, “It’s Time for Title IX: New Rule, New Regime,” Jackie Gharapour Wernz provides a deep dive into the controversial new Rule.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has an urgent need for attorneys and paralegals to review and close SBA disaster loans. Real estate experience is a plus. Individuals waiting on bar results may apply. Attorneys must present a current bar card but may be licensed in any state. 

Michael G. Bergmann, Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Initiative

Illinois Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal clinic where low-income Illinoisans can submit a question online to ask a pro bono lawyer for help with a civil legal issue. Volunteer lawyers then log onto the site at their convenience and answer questions waiting in the queue that they feel comfortable addressing. All of the interactions are through a website, so all that is needed is internet access and a device to be able to start helping people. Especially, during the COVID-19 pandemic, this is a great way to help those in need from the comfort and safety of your own home or office.

The U.S. Attorney's Office Central District of Illinois is accepting applications for an assistant United States attorney opening in its Criminal Division to be located in Springfield.

Applicants must be United States citizens or nationals; submit to a background investigation, credit and tax checks, and drug test; be registered for selective service, if applicable; and have a J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).